Health, Medicine & Safety in China
Bringing medicine across the border, finding a pharmacy or hospital, handling emergencies, and avoiding the scams that target tourists.
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All health & safety guides
- China Travel Advisory 2026: US, UK, Canada, AustraliaUS: Level 2 with wrongful-detention flag (19 Oct 2026). Canada and Australia: high degree of caution. UK: no warning against travel. Quoted and dated, Nov 2026.
- Can I Bring Adderall to China? ADHD Travel Rules (2026)Adderall and Ritalin are Category I psychotropics in China, allowed only with a diagnosis certificate and ID. See the rules, Vyvanse status and alternatives.
- Pharmacy in China: How Foreigners Buy Medicine (Guide)Chinese pharmacies (药店) sell most everyday medicine without a prescription. Get Chinese names for ibuprofen and paracetamol, phrases and safety tips.
- Birth Control & Emergency Contraception in China (2026)Birth control pills and the morning-after pill are sold over the counter in China — no prescription, no ID. Here is exactly how to buy them as a foreigner.
- China Emergency Numbers: 110, 120, 119 for Foreigners (2026)Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119. Phrases to say when you call, English-speaking hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai & Guangzhou, and a printable card.
- Getting Sick in China: Medical Care Guide for Tourists (2026)What to do if you get sick in China. Finding hospitals, pharmacies, emergency services, insurance, and navigating the healthcare system as a foreigner.
- Is Tap Water Safe in China? Foreigner's Guide (2026)Don't drink tap water in China, even locals don't. Where to get safe water, what to order at restaurants, and how to stay hydrated as a visitor in 2026.
- How to Buy Contact Lenses in China (Foreigners Guide 2026)Running out of contact lenses in China? Here's how foreigners can buy contacts: pharmacies, optical shops, online ordering, and what prescriptions you need.
- Prescription Glasses in China: Bring Yours or Buy for $15Yes, bring your glasses to China. But if they break or you need new ones, Chinese optical shops offer prescription glasses from $15-50 in 2 hours. Here's how.
- Drinking Water in China: Hotels, Bottled Water & 开水 (2026)Complete guide to drinking water in China: are hotel kettles safe, best bottled water brands, what is 开水, and how to order water at restaurants.
- Seeing a Doctor in China: Hospital Guide for ForeignersChinese hospitals are confusing — even for locals. How to register (guahao), see a doctor, get prescriptions, and pay. Average visit costs ¥200-500.
- Diabetes Travel Guide for China: Insulin, CGM & SuppliesEssential guide for diabetics traveling to China. Learn how to carry insulin, find CGM sensors like Freestyle Libre, and manage your supplies.
- China Travel Guide for Hearing Aid & Cochlear Implant UsersA practical guide for travelers with hearing loss in China. Covers buying batteries, repairs, airport security, and managing your hearing device on the go.
- Menstrual Cups & Tampons in China: A Complete Survival GuideWhere to buy tampons or menstrual cups in China? This guide covers availability in pharmacies, online shopping, cleaning, and disposal for female travelers.
- Traveling China with Food Allergies: A Safety GuideHow to manage food allergies in China. Communicating dietary needs, high-risk foods, allergy cards, and staying safe while eating.
- China Tourist Scams: 12 Common Tricks and How to Avoid ThemProtect yourself from scams targeting tourists in China. Tea house scams, fake monks, taxi tricks, and more. Real examples and practical prevention tips.
- Lost in China: What to Do If You Can't Find Your WayPractical steps for when you're lost in China. How to communicate, use maps, get help, and find your way back to safety.
- Is Marijuana Legal in China? What Tourists Need to KnowMarijuana is completely illegal in China with severe penalties. Here's what travelers need to know about drug laws and consequences.
- Wheelchair Accessible Travel in China: What to Expect (2026)Honest guide to wheelchair accessibility in China. What works, what doesn't, and how to plan a trip with mobility challenges.